Hotel check: The Peninsula Chicago

WHAT’S IT LIKE? The Peninsula opened in 2001 and has been honoured by numerous awards, including some nominated by Business Traveller readers. Beyond the stark, modern frontage of the building is a warm, aesthetically pleasing interior providing some of the largest guestrooms in the city and impressive, futuristic technological features. The front desk is located on the fifth floor and check-in was very quick – I was offered an escort to my room, which I declined. Some packages had been sent to the hotel for my arrival and I was handed a note telling me that they had arrived. After check-in I walked over to the concierge desk to ask for them to be delivered to my room and they, along with my luggage, arrived within five minutes. WHERE IS IT? In the heart of the Magnificent Mile, just off North Michigan Avenue, close to the Historic Water Tower. HOW MANY ROOMS? 339, all decorated in a classical style, including the 300sqm Peninsula Suite, which comes with its own 185sqm terrace. ROOM FACILITIES I was staying in a Grand Deluxe King (50sqm). The room had a good-size desk, a sofa and coffee table, and an extremely comfortable bed. Other amenities included a DVD player, TV (although not flatscreen – these should be installed in 2008), fax machine, free wireless or wired internet, complimentary local and toll-free calls, and minibar. Almost everything in the room is controlled by electronic panels – by the door you can read the outside temperature and humidity before you leave your room, while the panel beside the bed controls the lights, alarm, TV, radio and air conditioning, and even tells you if you have a fax at your desk and allows you to switch on the privacy button if you decide to lie in. The marble bathroom had a large walk-in shower, and bath with TV and hands-free telephone. Toiletries are from Molton Brown. RESTAURANTS AND BARS On the lobby level is one of the best restaurants in Chicago, Avenues, which is run by chef Graham Elliot Bowles and serves contemporary cuisine. Its tasting menu offers five, ten or 15 dishes (US$120-150) and is one of the best of its kind I have ever experienced. There were too many courses to mention in detail, but my favourites included the Kobe beef tartare with béarnaise parfait and smoke glacée, and the beet terrine with rocket and goat’s cheese mousse. It’s not cheap but if you are eating alone you can sit at the bar overlooking the chefs and talk to them or your neighbours. Shanghai Terrace is for Shanghainese and Cantonese food and is one floor below lobby level. In summer months it benefits from outside dining on the terrace. The Lobby is a beautiful bright area for all-day dining with a menu which includes something for everyone, from Asian cuisine to salads, meat and fish. The Bar, with a roaring fire, is cosy in winter and serves light snacks as well as drinks. Pierrot Gourmet is a café/wine bar at street level (out of the hotel and turn right), and is a great place to pick up a coffee or a snack to go if you are on the run. Room service is available 24 hours a day. If you are around on Thursday nights in the summer don’t miss the Ice Cream Social in the lobby – an all-you-can-eat extravaganza of homemade ice cream, sorbets and sundaes. BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES Free wireless internet is available in all public spaces, and there is also a small business centre on the sixth floor which can be accessed 24 hours a day with your room key. It has two PCs, printers, a shredder and a small meeting room available on a first-come, first-served basis. Use of all these facilities is complimentary. There are several meeting rooms (many with natural daylight), which range from a formal boardroom (for up to 14 people), to a ballroom which will accommodate up to 310. All are on the sixth floor apart from the ballroom, which has a terrace for receptions, and in 2008 a conservatory is being added to extend the reception area. LEISURE FACILITIES There is a stunning spa (by ESPA) on the 20th floor of the hotel. As you exit the lift you are hit by the peace, aroma and the sudden change of décor to natural textures and wood. The spa is spread over two floors. There is a 25-metre pool with floor-to-ceiling windows where you can swim or relax on a bed or in the spa-bath. If you want to work out, there is a large gym with a studio and plenty of cardiovascular equipment and weights (each machine is kitted out with a towel and headphones ready for use). The facility has good views, and if you want to be pampered there are eight treatment rooms, a manicure/pedicure room and steam room. VERDICT A well-located hotel with superb modern facilities and first-class service. PRICE Internet rates for a midweek stay in mid-January started from US$456 for a Superior King room with parking. CONTACT The Peninsula Chicago, 108 East Superior Street at North Michigan Avenue, Chicago; tel +1 312 337 2888; chicago.peninsula.com. Julian Gregory